UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will celebrate First-Generation Celebration Week at the University Park campus with events slated throughout the week of Nov. 3 to 7.
As part of the recognition of the national First-Generation Celebration Day on Nov. 8, the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success and the student organization First-Gen Advocates will hold events to build community, raise awareness about the first-generation experience and uplift the voices of first-gen students, faculty, staff and alumni. The Eta Psi Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha — known as Tri-Alpha, a first-generation honor society — will hold its induction ceremony on Nov. 7.
Current First-Gen Advocates President Milan Dukes said she’s seen resources, support and recognition for first-generation students at Penn State grow over the last few years. A Penn State senior majoring in psychology and double-minoring in sports studies and media studies, Dukes said even as a kid, her family taught her about the criminal justice system, how policy affects people and how to be an advocate. At Penn State, she has channeled that experience and passion into continuing the work of helping first-generation students navigate college life and creating a supportive community.
“You deserve to create spaces of belonging, and you deserve to get all the resources and all the opportunities that are offered to students who have a more traditional, if you want to call it that, pathway to college,” Dukes said.
She said First-Generation College Celebration events at Penn State are a great way for people to socialize and learn about differences and similarities in others’ first-gen experiences.
“I always tell people that this is my favorite week of the year because it makes my heart feel very full to see the fruits of our labor,” she said. “And in conversation and having discourse, we get to really talk about what we need, and then that leads to further action and more things that we can put on the list of accomplishments that we want to get done so that people can do even better than they are currently.”
“As a first-generation Penn State alum, I know how important it is for first-gen students to see themselves represented,” said Shidika Goode, student success advocate, Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success. “When first-gen students see themselves represented and celebrated, it changes what success feels like on campus. It reminds them that their stories matter, that their presence here is powerful, and that success isn’t defined by fitting into a mold. It’s defined by persistence, purpose and pride in where you come from.”
In addition to the below events for the University Park campus, Penn State Berks will mark First-Gen College Celebration Week with several events throughout the week of Nov. 3 to 7.
Signature events
HUB Takeover, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3, HUB-Robeson Center
Celebrate being #PSUFirstGen with food, activities, giveaways and prizes. There will be opportunities to meet members of the First-Gen Advocates student organization and the Eta Psi chapter of the Tri-Alpha honor society to find out how to support or join Penn State’s first-gen community. Representatives from different centers will also be available to share resources, events and programs for first-gen students.
First-Gen Community Night, 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 6, HUB-Robeson Center, Heritage Hall
Join first-gen students, faculty, staff and alumni for a mixer with food, networking, first-gen recognition awards and door prizes. RSVP online to community night.
Tri-Alpha induction ceremony, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 7, Heritage Hall
Join the Eta Psi chapter of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society as they induct their third class and recognize the accomplishments of first-gen scholars, faculty, staff and alumni. Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos will deliver the evening’s introduction and be recognized as this year’s honorary inductee.
Other events at the University Park campus
POP Up: First-Gen Edition, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5, Chambers Building Atrium
Stop by to make a first-gen button, grab a snack and learn about first-generation resources.
First-Gen Music BINGO, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, HUB-Robeson Center, Lions Lair 008
Join First-Gen Advocates (FGA) for an exciting evening of music bingo with prizes.
First@Eberly, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 6, Ritenour Building, lower level
Join the Eberly College of Science for a relaxed fall hangout for first-gen undergraduate students. Enjoy free lunch and time to connect with fellow first-gen classmates.
The Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.